About Me

When not nosing, tasting, drinking and reading about malt whisky, I own one of Israel's premiere boutique coaching practices, specializing in small businesses and executive teams.
Trained in the law, I was an international law attorney and took part in Israel's peace negotiations with the Palestinians, as well as representing my country at the UN for parts of the negotiations on the implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Later I was appointed to the military bench.
My favorite thing, other than whisky, is teaching.
You can contact me through the social media buttons above or by email: michael(at)maltandoak.com, replacing the (at) with an @.

Statement of Integrity and Guidelines

Malt and Oak is an independent whisky blog, offering my own views, opinions and news from the world of malt whisky.
These are my guidelines:

1. All whisky reviews published are of whiskies I have personally tasted and noted. Guest bloggers only write about their own personal tastings.

2. With the exception of official whisky samples, I accept no consideration whatsoever from any distillery, bottler, distributor, drink company or store for my opinions.

3. I maintain strict impartiality and objectivity in tasting all whiskies, not least when tasting official samples. Any review of official whisky samples sent to me will be so noted in the post.

4. I will accept invitations to tastings, events and official visits, and full disclosure will be made on any tasting notes and articles resulting from these events or visits.

5. Any sample received over 30 ml in volume is shared with fellow whisky bloggers. In any event, no sample larger than 100 ml will be accepted.

6. No advertisements promoting specific brands will be accepted.

7. I will answer any inquiry by my readers as quickly and as fully as possible.

8. Should I give a link purchase the reviewed whisky, it will be given free of any commercial interest. The link given will always point to cheapest selling price I found on the web. No commission is paid, nor any other consideration given, for such link.

9. As of July 2017, I serve as Douglas Laing’s Israel brand ambassasdor. As such, I will obviously not be posting reviews of Douglas Laing products.

Glen Grant 1954 by Gordon and MacPhail – The Glory of Old Whisky

At the Whisky Show, I was lucky enough to taste a 1952 Glen Grant, bottled by Gordon and MacPhail and served as one of the dream drams. The second 1950s G&M was a 1954 Mortlach as part of the Mortlach masterclass I took. I didn’t take notes for the 1952 Glen Grant, but as part of Gordon and MacPhail’s ‘The Wood Makes the Whisky’ campaign, there was a 1954 Glen Grant, which was actually pretty close to the 1952 I had at the show. So I’m happy to be able to share that note with you.

Photo Credit: drinkmonger.com

Gordon and MacPhail Glen Grant 1954 (40% ABV, NCF, NC)

Appearance: Deep mahogany, very viscous, very long legs.

Nose: The old burnt wax/old furniture polish found in all these early 1950s G&M casks. Dried fruit (figs, sultanas, dates and pruins), some cloves. A drop of water brings out a fresher note of sherry, with a cleaner hit of varnish.

Palate: Burnt wax, sherry dryness and some sourness. The oak is very noticable (60 years in cask, you’d expect nothing less) and imparts a very dry bitter note. Some mild spices and a gentle sweetness. The drop of water added makes it a tad more bitter and tannic.

Linger: Dry and waxy, with a tannic bitterness and some faint sweetness that leaves the tongue very dry.

Conclusion

Classic old sherry, very 1950s G&M, with the same note as the other Glen Grants and Mortlachs from that period.